Paul Thorn shares the stage with Steve Forbert at The Colonial Theatre

For one time professional boxer and struggling musician Paul Thorn, it may seem that a career in music would have been out of reach. An artist whose work is often compared to that of John Hiatt and John Prine, Thorn has been heralded as the “Mark Twain of Americana.”

Possessing a gift for writing and vocalizing great bluesy rock songs, Thorn has carved out a career exceeding his expectations.

His latest solo release, “What the Hell is Goin’ On?” debuted on Billboard’s Top 100 during its first week of release and was the #12 Most Played Album for 2012 on the AMA Charts.

“This recording was a bit of a departure for me,” says Thorn. “This is the first album that I did other people’s songs. It’s a cover album of a bunch of obscure songs unless you’re an avid music fan. Most people have probably never heard of these songs. We didn’t want to copy the tracks of the original. We just wanted to do the song and make it our own — make it sound like the Paul Thorn Band.

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“People are always asking me what songs I like. So, I just did an album of stuff I like and “What The Hell is Goin’ On?” is the end result. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and there are so many great songs out there that the world’s never heard,” added Thorn. “Why not tip my hat to some of these other great songwriters?”

The most meaningful song to me is the title cut, “What The Hell Is Goin’ On?” says Thorn. “It was written by my good friend Elvin Bishop. It’s a song about the condition of the world. There are so many things deteriorating in the world. It sounds like a bit of a cliché, but things aren’t the way they used to be. It seems like the world in general is digressing instead of progressing.”

Standout tracks on the new record include “Don’t Let Me Down Again,” “Shed A Little Light,” “What The Hell is Goin’ On?” “Walk In My Shadow,” “Bull Mountain Ridge” and “She’s Got A Crush On Me.”

Citing fellow Tupelo, Miss., native Elvis Presley as his greatest musical influence, Thorn, like Presley, was enamored with gospel music at an early age.

“The music in the southern churches is incredible,” recalls Thorn. “I grew up singing in church with the black and white people. The white people sing sort of a country and western style gospel and the black people have a more rhythm and blues style gospel. This was, without a doubt, my biggest influence.”

Signed to a recording contract by music mogul Miles Copeland, Thorn released his A&M Records debut “Hammer and Nails” in 1997. The title track from his 1999 follow-up album, “Ain’t Love Strange” (Ark Records), was picked up by WXPN and launched his career in Philadelphia and beyond.

In an effort to maintain control over his musical destiny, Thorn formed Perpetual Obscurity Records in 2002. That same year he released his label debut album, “Mission Temple Fireworks Stand.”

Subsequent releases, Pimps and Preachers” (2008) and his latest, “What The Hell Is Goin’ On?” both broke Billboards Top 100 Rock, Indie and Heat Record charts.

Thorn’s success has led him to tour with Sting, Mark Knopfler, Bonnie Raitt, Jeff beck and Toby Keith.

“In today’s environment, where the economy is bad and a lot of people are suffering and don’t have a job, I’m thankful that not only do I have a job, my job is thriving,” says Thorn. “I’m doing the same thing I’ve always done. When I go out on stage I like to make people feel good. I try to perpetuate something positive instead of all the negativity in the world. I want people to walk away from a show almost feeling like they had a spiritual experience. I like to bring people together. I don’t like to see people divided. I like everybody to have a good time together. I’m very pleased, happy and thankful for where my career is right now.”

Thorn has never forgotten the things that matter most - family and his fans. “I respect everybody,” says Thorn. “I don’t think I’m any better than anybody else. I’m a guy that was blessed with a talent, and I’ve got a good job and people come out to see me. I try to be good to my fans. I don’t have time for anybody that thinks they’re above somebody else. I’ve got two kids and a wife. Although I enjoy what I do, it comes at a price and that price is leaving my family to go out on the road. The most thrilling thing in my life is when I get to go home and sit in my living room and play with my kids.”

Paul Thorn and Steve Forbert perform at the Colonial Theatre; located at 227 Bridge Street in Phoenixville, PA, Friday March 22, 2013 at 8:00 P.M. Tickets are $19.50 and $29.50 and are available at the Colonial Theatre Box Office by calling 610-917-1228 or on-line at www.ticketturtle.com. All ages are welcome at the Colonial. To stay up to date on all future shows go to www.thecolonialtheatre.com.

About the Author

A Philadelphia based music journalist for over 30 years, Rob has interviewed, reviewed and photographed hundreds of well-known musicians and athletes. Working with almost every major music venue in the Philadelphia area, his writing has appeared in a variety of entertainment publications and newspapers. His work can frequently be found in print and on the web in the 21st Century Media newspapers. Rob resides in Phoenixville, Pa. Reach the author at (Unknown address)
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